Reviews

For many fans, The Black Eyed Peas may seem incomplete without Fergie, but Masters Of The Sun Vol. 1 proves that the trio of will.i.am, all.de.ap, and Taboo is still as relevant as ever and to be completely honest, I like the new approach that the Peas have gone for as it is somewhat a return to old school Black Eyed Peas with a more sophisticated musical style. If you’re expecting the pop-styled dance music that has been their cornerstone since Elephunk, you’ll likely be disappointed. That said, I subjectively believe they are better than ever!

Masters Of The Sun Vol. 1 sees the trio focus on political hip hop issues that pertain to gun violence, police brutality, race relations, and social media ramifications. While I don’t enjoy hip hop, or any music for that matter, for its lyrical meaning, preferring to enjoy the musical flow allowing the vocal to become another instrument in the soundstage, there are some songs with particular pertinent meanings that I will discuss when we get to the individual songs. There are a few songs, missing from the album, however, even though they were released as promo singles. One of them is Street Livin’; a brilliant song and one that should command empathy within the listener. Get It is different. That isn’t a bad thing but while it was recorded during the same sessions as Masters Of The Sun Vol. 1 it isn’t right that Get It isn’t included on the album for it’s great, but not similar enough, in my opinion, to make a smooth transition within the album format. Nevertheless, the only way for most people to access these songs is via their single additions to streaming services or the iTunes Store. If you are interested in collecting these songs physically, the Japanese Universal Music release (Cat: UICD-1349) features these aforementioned tracks as well as the Constant Pt. 2 (Extended Version).

At time of writing, a vinyl release is still unavailable and I live in hope that when/if it is finally issued, a Deluxe Edition will accompany it for while the core album is beyond reproach, these additional promo songs are worth the price of admission. Plus, that album artwork is screaming out for the larger vinyl canvas. That said, the back cover of the CD is somewhat lacklustre so I’d hope they redesign the vinyl rear artwork and liner notes prior to releasing the album on additional formats.

For completists, Masters Of The Sun Vol. 1 is roughly inspired by the Masters Of The Sun – The Zombie Chronicles comic book, published by Marvel Comics. Sometimes I delve even deeper into the creative process, but in this case, I will let you, dear reader, see if the comic book is for you and the relevance it has to the album and your experience of it. If you think I’d benefit from checking it out, let me know. In the meantime, let’s take a look at the songs that make up Masters Of The Sun Vol. 1.

BACK 2 HIPHOP (feat. Nas) is a great start to the album. It is literally, as the song title would suggest, getting back to hip hop styling and culture. Like all good opening songs, it sets the tone of the album from the outset. Yes, this isn’t a song that you’ll chant along to, but I dare you to sit still while listening to BACK 2 HIPHOP. I can’t help but connect with the rhythm. Fantastic!

BACK 2 HIPHOP’s music videois stylistically incredible. That said, visually it’s modern and appealing but, in my opinion, doesn’t connect the viewer to the song’s context. Of course, it wouldn’t be the first time that a music video has looked appealing yet lacked meaning for me.

YES or NO flows seamlessly from BACK 2 HIPHOP and while I don’t go for lyrical interpretation or meaning, as I’ve suggested earlier, YES or NO is vocally brilliant. A great song, although the sampling is a little pedestrian despite being perfectly suited to the song. The little vocal calculation rhythm at the end is brilliant.

GET READY is one of the greatest songs on Masters Of The Sun Vol. 1. I’d also class it as one of the greatest songs that The Black Eyed Peas has ever recorded; the inclusion of Lauren Evans really pulls the song together. Yes, I love The Jacksons sample from Destiny of That’s What You Get (For Being Polite). Plus, the jazzy Joe Henderson Black Narcissus is superb. GET READY is absolutely brilliant!

4EVER (feat. Esthero) is smooth but I’m not fond of the mix as I feel the instrumental elements and some of the vocals are simply too distant in the soundstage, resulting in a song that your mind wants to turn the volume up on one minute, and down the next. It isn’t bad, but I’d probably class 4EVER as a B-Side.

The music video, however, fixes the aforementioned vocal/mix issues and I feel that is partially due to having visual cues to connect with, thereby reducing the audible confusion that can lead to misinterpretation.

CONSTANT Pt.1 Pt.2 (feat. Slick Rick) is a great track. I love it!

DOPENESS (feat. CL) flows perfectly from CONSTANT Pt. 1 Pt. 2 and while different, it has a similar rhythmic style that will ensure you feel a flow that keeps your body moving. Another exceptional track and one that, in my opinion, shows why The Black Eyed Peas are one of the most talented musical acts in the world.

The DOPENESS music video is pure gold! Yes, another bad pun but an accurate description. The styling and editing is spot on and it’s great to see that quality music videos are still being made even if the interest by record labels and viewers have lessened over the years.

ALL AROUND THE WORLD (feat. Phife Dawg, Ali Shaheed Muhammad and Posdnuos) is another track the flows beautifully in the album format, reminding us all that while songs are good, the album flow is alive and well. A great addition to Masters Of The Sun Vol. 1.

NEW WAVE is magnificent. Turn that volume up and become immersed in the soundstage.

VIBRATIONS Pt.1 Pt.2 has a great vibe. However, the music video is cringeworthy.

WINGS (feat. Nicole Scherzinger) is another absolutely incredible song and Scherzinger’s vocal is perfect for WINGS. WINGS is absolutely flawless!

RING THE ALARM Pt.1 Pt.2 Pt.3 is hypnotic. Pure perfection! That said, the jazzy shift towards the end is great, but it is a little disjointed for my liking.

The music video is compelling and while not groundbreaking certainly explores the lyrical content in a manner that visually depicts the message the Peas are trying to present. Although, that shift is still a little distracting.

BIG LOVE is a perfect song to close the album with. I love it, and the pertinent message contained within the song needs to be heard by all.

The Big Love music video is confrontational, and it even includes a warning before it begins, and it needs to be confrontational to get the message across. Everyone, and I mean everyone, needs to see this music video. It’s made with love, will bring tears to your eyes, and should make you take stock of your beliefs.

Yes, The Black Eyed Peas are back and while it is different to their most recent albums, instead focusing on the political and their traditional hip hop roots, this is an incredible release that simply has to be in everyone’s collection. It is in mine and it is so good that I can’t stop playing it. Seriously, it sits on repeat for days and while I really wish there’d be a vinyl release, I’d be flipping that record so many times it wouldn’t be funny and the needle on the turntable would certainly wear out, if the record didn’t wear out first of course – it really is that good!

Nothing excites me more than an exceptional debut album. The debut has the capacity to make or break an artist and if done well, as in the case of Ed Sheeran's +, it becomes not only a benchmark for Sheeran's future works but a template for his contemporaries to aspire to.

The A Team was the first single from + and it’s simply superb. That guitar strum provides all the melody that is needed to back Sheeran's gorgeous vocal. The A Team, as well as the entire album, is well recorded, mixed, and mastered. Sensational!

Drunk is a great song, but what I enjoy most is hearing the rawness of Sheeran's vocal presentation. It sounds as if he’s singing directly into your ear, especially during the chorus. It's a special moment when the recording techniques and associated equipment get out of the way and allow the artist to connect directly with the listener. It doesn't happen often, but when it does, it blows my mind and demands my attention, ensuring this song will be regularly placed on repeat.

U.N.I. is beautiful!

Grade 8 has a great beat, but the song is a little campy in places. Not bad, but nothing to write home about either.

Wake Me Up is an incredible composition. Simple, yet diverse. I love it!

Small Bump has a sensational rhythm. The entire song is off-the-charts and is one of the best songs on +.

This is yet another magnificent song.

The City is a B-side. Adequate, but less compelling than all previous songs. However, when listening in the album format, The City works well and the album wouldn't be the same without it.

Lego House is no B-side and one can understand why it was chosen as a single. That chorus is pure gold!

You Need Me, I Don't Need You has a great hook. Sheeran certainly has the chops to deliver fast-paced lyrics. Let’s hope he doesn't suffer from getting tongue twisted as Billy Joel has a handful of times when performing We Didn't Start The Fire.

Kiss Me is remarkably good. Such a smooth, yet layered vocal. No wonder Sheeran has had so much success. It is impossible not to be drawn into his music.

Give Me Love is a solid track to conclude the album with, but I tend to dislike hidden tracks as The Parting Class technically closes the album following 20 seconds of silence. I don't know about you, but I’d much prefer the hidden track to be listed and presented as a song on its own. I understand the appeal of hidden tracks, but as a fan of the album format, I find the extended silence between the final listed song and the hidden track to be infuriating. That said, The Parting Class is a nice addition to the album and it could be argued that it is an ideal closing to +. I’d likely agree with that sentiment if it were not for the aforementioned moments of silence and the inability to select and play The Parting Class unimpeded.

Overall, however, + is one of the greatest debut albums ever released. If you have an interest in Folk or Indie Pop music, you need to have this album in your collection. I can’t tell you the number of times I have picked up the vinyl release, only to put it back. I’ve honestly lost count. Regardless, next time I come across it, it will be an immediate purchase. It is simply that good!